Scouting report: What Redskins are saying about the Eagles

Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has the Redskins' attention because of his ability to scramble, but keep his eyes downfield. (Streeter Lecka, Getty Images)

For the second time this month, the Washington Redskins will play a Monday night matchup on the road. And even though it's only Week 7, this is a huge game against the Philadelphia Eagles that will have significant implications in the NFC East division race.

The Redskins currently trail the NFC East-leading Eagles by 1 1/2 games. They've already lost to Philadelphia in the season opener, 30-17, at FedEx Field. In the final regular season game between these two teams, Washington needs a victory to split the season series. With a loss, the Eagles would go up 2 1/2 games in the division, in addition to owning a crucial head-to-head tiebreaker on Washington.

Advertisement

Let's take a look at the key Eagles players to keep an eye on in this week's game:

Offensive player to watch: Quarterback Carson Wentz

Wentz is having a good season. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 237 pounds, the second-year quarterback ranked third in the NFL in touchdowns (13) and fifth in passing yards (1,584) heading into Week 7. Over his last two games, Wentz recorded seven touchdowns and just one interception, with passer ratings of 110.7 and 128.3 against the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals, respectively.

Wentz, the second overall pick in 2016, is a dangerous, dual-threat quarterback who is difficult to bring down. In his previous matchup against the Redskins, he recorded 307 passing yards and two touchdowns, including a 58-yard score to Nelson Agholor. Two defenders had an opportunity to bring him down in the backfield, but Wentz scrambled around and make an incredible play.

This will be a difficult matchup for Washington's defense, as seen during the season opener. The defensive line has to bring pressure and contain him in the pocket, while the secondary can't have a lapse in coverage to allow any big plays.

"He's a mobile quarterback, and that's what you get from mobility in quarterbacks," cornerback Josh Norman said. "You gonna give a guy that can elude the pocket all that time, what you expect is gonna happen? He's gonna find somebody, and they're gonna do like a scramble drill. The same thing they do over in Seattle in a way. They're going to find a way to make a play, and he always has eyes downfield. That makes him even more of a threat.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox had a sack, a forced fumble and scored on a 20-yard fumble recovery in the first meeting with the Redskins. (Alex Brandon / AP)

"But you gotta understand that you got to contain guys like that; force them to step up in the pocket and make some plays. He does a great job of scrambling and finding guys when he can, but we've got to put the containment lock on him and see what he does."

Said defensive coordinator Greg Manusky: "I think overall from a passer rating he does a great job of scanning the field. He does a great job of getting out of some pressure situations. I mean, we had him a couple times harassed in the backfield and he got out of there and all of the sudden he made some big plays. He does a great job of keeping his eyes up the field. He feels pressure and he knows exactly where it's coming and he scoots through the lanes and he extends the play. So we can't let him do that."

Cox returned last week after missing two games because of a calf injury. He logged half a sack, a pass defensed and two combined tackles in the Eagles' win over Carolina. Cox was a full participant this week in practice and expected to play on Monday night. In four games this season, Cox has logged 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a defensive touchdown.

The skinny:

The 26-year-old is one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in the game. During the season opener against Washington, Cox recorded a sack, a forced fumble and scored on a 20-yard fumble recovery to put the game away. At 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, Cox has the strength and the skill set to create havoc as a pass rusher up the middle. He was a handful for Washington's offensive line, and even as he returns from a calf injury, Cox will be a tough player to contain throughout the game.

"For how big he is, he moves really, really well," right guard Brandon Scherff said. "Obviously, he's a big, powerful, violent pass rusher. I'd put him up against anybody in the league. He's an incredible pass rusher, and he's going to be a great challenge for us up front. We're excited for the challenge, and everything he does, he does it well. That's why he's known for what he's known for.

"He's tall, he's long. He uses great leverage. When he gets into your chest, you're pretty much screwed. ... He's got the complete package for a NFL defensive lineman."